Decorative panel

ABSTRACT

A decorative panel system comprising a main body having a consistent resistance to bending and means for mounting the panel to a suitable support structure. Including at least one distortion section on the main body having less resistance to bending in relation to the main body such that the distortion section bends at a localised point. The distortion section has a plurality of radius points which are arranged to compress or expand to accommodate mounting points of the panel.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to CNC cut panels or parts used in the building industry to provide designed parts for the railing industry, ginger-bread attachments for the decorative “VICTORIAN LOOK”, adjustable valances for archways and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Currently in building railing for staircases using spindles, pickets, decorative rods and the like, also non-rectangular balusters and shapes because generally and in the situation of spiral staircases the angle or pitch is not a standard or fixed angle. Prior installations of decorative metal panelling needed the services of a blacksmith for every elevating inch of a staircase banister or panel a custom bent and forged shape is fabricated to fit the pitch of the staircase stringer and top rail assembly which is generally built and assembled first so that the shape is determined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a decorative panel system comprises:

[0004] a main body having a consistent resistance to bending;

[0005] means for mounting the panel to a suitable support structure;

[0006] at least one distortion section on the main body having less resistance to bending in relation to the main body such that the distortion section bends at a localised point.

[0007] Preferably the distortion section has a plurality of radius points which are arranged to compress or expand to accommodate mounting points of the panel.

[0008] One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front view of a part of the present invention.

[0013] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a railing assembly 1 for a staircase 3 or the like has a top rail 5 and a bottom rail 7. The top and bottom rails are supported at each respective end by a end mount 9. The end mount is arranged to be coupled to a supporting surface such as a wall or the like. The end mounts have a pivot 11 which is connected to the rail such that the angle from the wall to wall can be varied slightly. The rails are arranged to be parallel links by placing a plurality of spaced posts 13 separating the top and bottom rail. The bottom rail can be replaced by using the stair stringer of the existing staircase. Between each post connected at a top end 15 and a bottom end 17 is a decorative panel 19 or baluster. The decorative panel is cut from a single section of metal by a laser. Each top end and bottom end of the panel has a pair of legs 21 which are arranged to be mounted to a bottom side 23 and top side 25 of each respective top and bottom rail between two respective posts. The legs have rubber grommets 27 which are inserted into an insert portion 29 on the rails. The grommets support the panel between the rails. The panels are vertical on the rails such that a respective leg on the panel is higher on the rail that the next.

[0015] Each panel, as illustrated, has two distortion sections 31 adjacent the top end and bottom end of the panel. The distortion sections has less resistance to bending in relation to the rest of the panel such that the distortion section bends at a localised point. The distortion section has a plurality of radius points 33A, 33B and 33C which are arranged to compress or expand to accommodate the angle of the rails. The distortion section allows a builder to adjust the panel such that the panels can be delivered to the site and fitted to the stairs.

[0016] In construction of the rail assembly, the rails are positioned on the with the panels and posts positioned in the respectable positions. The panels will compress and expand at the distortion section to fit to the desired angle of the stair without distorting the pattern on the panel. In one example of mounting the rail assembly, in a method more suitable for the most complicated installation being the spiral staircase installation where the staircase stringer angle is consistently changing. An installer first mounts the base of the panel or baluster to the stair stringer. The next step is to bend or adjust the panel or baluster at the distortion portion so that an imaginary centre line of the body of the panel or baluster is vertical. Keeping the body or the panel vertical adjust or bend the top portion of the panel to fit the top rail angle or pitch and install the top rail.

[0017] In a second example of installation of the rail assembly the installer can first measure or calculate the angle or the incline and simple pre bend or shape all of the panels to match the installation angle.

[0018] In a third example of installation, in the case of the parallel link, assemble the desired number of panels and pickets as an assembly. When the four pivoting brackets are attached to create a parallel link and the assembly is mounted to a wall or post. The entire assembly can be adjusted as a unit to fit the staircase angle or pitch. All of the pivot points will adjust in unison to each other automatically or by design.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention is arranged to be used in at peaks of external walls of a building such as a house. There are general standards in the building industry in regards to the angle or pitch that a roof is built to for example 12:12 pitch means 12′ vertical and 12′ horizontal which would be a 90 degree angle (4:12), (6:12), (8:12), (10:12) are also common angles. However because of uncertain circumstance these angles may change slightly so that an adjustable angle (ginger-bread) attachment 41 for each general pitch would be most ideal and useful to the installer, builder, end-user. One would simply select the closest to fit angle part (attachment) to fit the situation and then first bolt, screw, attach one side or the other so that the straight edge would line up with the roof angle then simply adjust by bending the un-attached side of the attachment in the appropriate direction to fit the other or opposite roof line or angle. Install the remainder of the screws and the insulation is complete.

[0020] The gingerbread attachment is generally, as illustrated, triangular in shape such that a top peak 45 is arranged to fit in the top portion of an exterior peak of a house or the like. The gingerbread attachment has a distortion portion 47 between two end corners 49 which is arranged to be distorted in order to adequately fit the gingerbread attachment as desired such that the top peak is shaped outwards or inwards.

[0021] These types of decretive attachments have traditionally been hand made of wood or casted which of coarse will affect the life span and the practical availability in size and selection of the product.

[0022] With the use of CNC. Computer controlled laser or water-jet cutting it is feasible that thousands of very intricate parts can be produced in many different sizes and shapes in mass production volumes.

[0023] Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A decorative panel system comprises: a main body having a consistent resistance to bending; means for mounting the panel to a suitable support structure, and; at least one distortion section on the main body having less resistance to bending in relation to the main body such that the distortion section bends at a localised point.
 2. The panel according to claim 1 wherein the distortion section has a plurality of radius points which are arranged to compress or expand to accommodate mounting points of the panel. 